"Juan Soto scenario played like Shohei Ohtani last year" - Sportscaster skeptical of Blue Jays' offseason plans after missing out on star free agent

Toronto Blue Jays missed out on a coveted free agent for the second straight year as Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets for $765 million. Last offseason, they were also outbid for Shohei Ohtani, who signed with the LA Dodgers for $700 million.

With Soto now off the market, other MLB teams will plan to sign the next best free agents. However, Canadian sportscaster Bryan Hayes doesn't think the Blue Jays will ink any big names. Speaking on TSN's "Harvey's Hot Takes" on Monday, Hayes expressed skepticism, saying:

"I mean, the Soto scenario played out like the Ohtani scenario played out last year, and afterwards, they signed, you know, a few veterans. They brought in Isiah Kiner-Falefa, they brought in Justin Turner.

"They brought Kevin Kiermaier back when, by all accounts, he had no market out there. He told us that on OverDrive. He's like, 'No one was calling,' and the Jays picked up the phone and got Kiermaier." (7:00)

The sportscaster is not confident that Toronto will take a different approach this offseason. What confuses Hayes is that the team has the money to make a splash, and feels the Blue Jays should start by locking down their two star-players, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, who are to become free agents in the 2025 offseason.

---

Hayes feels the Blue Jays will suffer tough competition from other teams

With the Mets acquiring Soto, the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Dodgers, and other big-market teams will be eager to land other big free agents like Anthony Santander, Max Fried and Corbin Burnes.

Alex Bregman is another big name on the market. However, Hayes doesn't think the shortstop will make it to Toronto, saying:

"So if you're asking these players to take the same money but come north of the border when they can get it in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco or Houston, I'm not sure they're going to win that battle. So, uh, I'm skeptical until they do it." (8:40).

The sportscaster called on the Blue Jays front office of Ross Atkins and Mark Shapiro, to prove their worth by roping in cornerstone players. Hayes pointed to the third base, power bat in left field, backup catcher, starting pitcher and multiple arms in the bullpen as areas of concern for the team.